When Police Investigation Fails, "Police Bribery" - Innocent Man in His 50s Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison

Court: "False accusation in bribery attempt... Serious nature of the crime"

A man in his 50s was sentenced to prison for falsely accusing the police officer in charge after his defamation case proceeded differently from what he expected.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] A man in his 50s who falsely accused a police officer after his own criminal case investigation did not proceed as he wished was sentenced to one year in prison by the court.

The Criminal Division 11 of Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Shin Jin-woo) announced on the 5th that it sentenced Mr. A (50), who was indicted on charges of offering a bribe and false accusation, to one year in prison and a fine of 5 million won.

Mr. A was prosecuted for attempting to give 2 million won to police officer B, who was in charge of his criminal case, around January 2020, but was refused. Then, in March of the same year, he handed over an envelope containing 5 million won in cash at a coffee shop in Suwon City.

Officer B repeatedly refused, and about four months later, when Mr. A’s criminal case investigation was delayed and did not proceed in the desired direction, he filed a complaint with the police requesting a change of investigator, alleging that "Officer B accepted a bribe of 5 million won," and was also indicted for falsely accusing Officer B.

The court stated, "The defendant not only attempted to offer a bribe to the police officer in charge under the pretext of a request related to his criminal case but also falsely accused the officer when the investigation did not proceed as he wished. Considering the motive and method of the crime, the nature of the offense is very serious."

It added, "The falsely accused officer was placed on standby duty due to this case, underwent a lengthy investigation, and suffered severe mental distress as the case was reported in the media. Nevertheless, the defendant shifts responsibility onto the falsely accused and shows no remorse, making a prison sentence inevitable."